Help me choose a finish for wood

[CigarSmoka]

Thanks, would it be more practical to dye before doing final sanding then?

It’s why you HAVE to dye before final sanding. There is some debate as to whether or not alcohol raises the grain but the safe bet is that any liquid will. IME alcohol based dyes don’t raise the grain nearly as much as water based, and depending on the wood it may not at all. The downside is it dries fast, which can be a plus, but it can also leave you with blotches if you don’t move fast enough or get an even coat over the entire surface. Both have their advantages, but if you haven’t used dyes before you might want to try powder aniline dye dissolved in distilled water. Blotches generally aren’t a problem if you’re careful, and even if you get some wiping with a damp rag usually evens the color out.

 

[CigarSmoka]

Good to know thanks. Is that true of other dyes and CA glue? I i haven't used it before as a finish so more knowlege is good to have.

Those pens have a CA finish. As long as the dye is dry you’re safe.

 

[Fat Larry]

Thanks man. Great to know.